Knee injuries can be debilitating and painful -- whether resulting from a sports-related injury or over time as with the wear and tear on the joints that often result in osteoarthritis. Proper treatment and a healthy lifestyle can help you regain knee function and reduce pain -- and vitamin supplements can have a key role in getting your knees in shape again. Key vitamins and nutrients can often help relieve pain and restore function after injuries, but only if you take other steps seriously, such as proper treatment and physical therapy.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays a key role in calcium absorption and in the maintenance of calcium and phosphate levels in the body. The nutrient also aids in musculoskeletal and neuromuscular function, according to Science Daily. A study presented at the 2007 American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting found that people with low vitamin D levels complain of greater pain and reduced function of injured or debilitated knees. But research also suggests that vitamin D supplementation may help alleviate discomfort and improve their condition.
Glucosamine
The natural supplement glucosamine is often paired with chondroitin to help patients with knee injuries or conditions specifically related to cartilage damage. Glucosamine itself is a compound found in health cartilage. The Mayo Clinic suggests that glucosamine sulfate may be especially helpful for patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis, an arthritic condition related to wear and tear and nagging minor injuries.
Vitamins E and C
Vitamins E and C, both of which help improve the body's immune system, may have important roles in helping you recover from knee surgery. Researchers at the Linus Pauling Institute found that people who took vitamin E and C supplements had lower oxidative stress on their knees than people who didn't take supplements. Vitamin C supplementation was particularly important in regaining knee strength.
Considerations
Before starting any supplementation regimen, talk with your doctor to make sure that what you're taking doesn't interact with medications you may be taking. Vitamin E, for example, acts as a blood thinner, so if you take warfarin or a similar anticoagulant, your doctor may discourage you from taking vitamin E. And to help improve knee injury recovery or the ongoing treatment of a chronic condition such as arthritis, follow all of your doctor's instructions regarding medications and other treatments, as well as lifestyle adjustments like weight loss, if necessary.
